After reaching the preliminary final in three of the last four seasons, the Sydney Roosters called upon premiership-winning veteran Cooper Cronk and livewire fullback James Tedesco as Trent Robinson's men looked to go one better after bitter disappointment.
Despite a scrappy start to the season with six wins from the opening eleven matches, the Tricolours combinations continued to grow throughout the year, with a late-season charge culminating in the Minor Premiership in the final round with a 44-10 victory over Parramatta.
2018 Grand Final Match Highlights
A masterclass from Cronk in the first week of the finals against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks bore a 21-12 triumph, before the Red, White and Blue farewelled the Sydney Football Stadium with a grinding 14-6 win over arch-rivals South Sydney in front of a record crowd to qualify for their first Grand Final since 2013.
Coming up against the reigning Premiers in the Melbourne Storm in the decider, the Roosters pulled off what was described by co-captain Jake Friend as 'close to the perfect performance'.
2018 Season Highlights
Easts dominated the first half to cruise to an 18-nil lead at half-time, with Clive Churchill Medallist Luke Keary kicking a late field goal to seal the Club's 14th Premiership, while Cronk made one of the most courageous appearances in a decider, playing the entirety of the match with a broken scapula.
Sydney Roosters 21 (Joseph Manu, Latrell Mitchell, Daniel Tupou; Latrell Mitchell 4 goals; Luke Keary field goal) defeat Melbourne Storm 6
Match: Roosters v Storm
Grand Final -
home Team
Roosters
away Team
Storm
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James TedescoFullback for Storm is number 1 Billy Slater
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Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel TupouWinger for Storm is number 2 Suliasi Vunivalu
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Centre for Roosters is number 3 Latrell MitchellCentre for Storm is number 3 Will Chambers
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Centre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph ManuCentre for Storm is number 4 Curtis Scott
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Winger for Roosters is number 5 Blake FergusonWinger for Storm is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr
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Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke KearyFive-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster
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Halfback for Roosters is number 23 Cooper CronkHalfback for Storm is number 7 Brodie Croft
Forwards
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Prop for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-HargreavesProp for Storm is number 8 Jesse Bromwich
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Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Jake FriendHooker for Storm is number 9 Cameron Smith
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Prop for Roosters is number 10 Siosiua TaukeiahoProp for Storm is number 10 Tim Glasby
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2nd Row for Roosters is number 7 Mitchell Aubusson2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Felise Kaufusi
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2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Boyd Cordner2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Joe Stimson
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Lock for Roosters is number 13 Victor RadleyLock for Storm is number 13 Dale Finucane
Interchange
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Interchange for Roosters is number 12 Isaac LiuInterchange for Storm is number 14 Kenneath Bromwich
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Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Dylan NapaInterchange for Storm is number 15 Christian Welch
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Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Zane TetevanoInterchange for Storm is number 16 Brandon Smith
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Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Ryan MattersonInterchange for Storm is number 17 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Nick Beashel
- Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy
Last updated:
2018 Jack Gibson Awards
Jack Gibson Medal: James Tedesco
James Mathews Clubman of the Year: Jake Friend
Steggles Try of the Year: Joseph Manu
Members Player of the Year: Latrell Mitchell
Roosters Our Community Award: Latrell Mitchell
Harry Phipps Rising Star Award: Billy Smith
Chris Sykes Award (Junior Rep Player of the Year): Egan Butcher
Arthur Beetson Medal (Jersey Flegg Player of the Year): Sam Verrills
KARI NRL Women’s Premiership Player of the Year: Zahara Temara
2018 Dally M Awards
Dally M Top Pointscorer: Latrell Mitchell
Dally M Winger of the Year: Blake Ferguson
